leash walking in a straigh line

stonk

Hi all, first off i have used the search button and read a bit on leash walking about pulling etc.

My problem is not that she wont walk or pulls, she is very good actually first time ever with a leach and collar just walked of happy as anything.

The problem is she for the most part wants to walk so close and keep looking up and putting her head in front of my leg, then just changes side so im always walking in some crab fashion and hopping over her, or falling over or hitting her head with my leg.

I have tried a short leash and holding her to the side with the leash tight but all she does then is sort of scramble to walk close to me.

Is this normal or is she trying to show whos boss by getting in front all the time, and always swapping sides.

Its very early days but would rather know if this is normal so just go with the flow, or if not fix it.

TooneyDogs

Use treats and praise to show her exactly where she should be.
Only treat when she is walking nicely on the side you want her to be.
Use your treat hand as a target to lure her into position.
Only go a few steps....don't try to teach this and go for a mile walk at the same time. When she seems to get the idea, add a few more steps.

B-Line

Practice this in your house, off leash, it may help, but takes times.

Put your dog in a sit by your left or right foot.

Feed your dog, 10x, each time you "treat or feed" with your dog at your foot, say, "HEEL".

Now start to walk, slowly, your dog will continue to expect to be fed and will walk alongside you. Continue to treat and enforce the word Heel.

But if your puppy is walking in a position you don't like, don't treat. But use the treat to direct the puppy where it should walk.

I do highly suggest using real stinky treats. Like Natural Balance Turkey or Lamb roll. Biscuits just don't cut it. They need to smell that tasty stuff and then you can hone the position by feeding when appropriate.

winniec777

Good suggestions above. I would add another from a trainer we worked with when our dog was little and wayward: follow the heel exercise as described above, but put the puppy next to a wall and do the exercise walking very close to the wall, i.e. put the dog 6 inches from the wall. The wall will keep her in position on one side; your legs will keep her in position on the other. Practice this enough and she'll get the idea that the heel position is the place to be.

An aside -- it also sounds like your dog is looking to you for guidance, not trying to boss. She sounds a little unsure of herself, which may be why she is staying so close and keeps looking up at you. Her confidence will build pretty quickly with consistent, daily obedience training. Others may have a different view of what you've described, though.

stonk

Thanks for the input people, i will give this a go over the following days.

Did sort of try over the weekend but the GF brought her dog around, so Daisy was more interested in playing, and focus was not the strong point.

On a side note i did notice that Daisy although playing loads with Soda was always jumping up at Sodas mouth and was licking his tongue or mouth area, by the looks of it any way. Is this a normal thing or is it just a puppy thing.

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winniec777

Licking other dogs in the mouth area is a normal thing, especially for puppies. It's a way of greeting, says I'm not aggressive, let's be friendly.

agility collie mom

Hey I know what you mean. When Savannah first started walking on a leash her nickname was zig-zag! lol It gets better when they get the hang of it. She now walks in a straight line so don't give up hope!

Inga

you can also try a bit of peanut butter on a long handle spoon held on your left side with her. same idea as treating/food following, just easier on the back. Only give a little taste every so often. "good heel". It takes a little while, dogs get it pretty quick. Give her some time. She is a cutie by the way.

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